Insider notes on 2024 NFL Draft QBs: Concerns on Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels' rising stock and more
While people will look to the results of next week’s draft as evidence of their predictions, especially at the quarterback position, the draft is only the beginning and not an end game. With so much opinion on the signal callers in this year's draft, I reached out to a trusted voice to get his views on the good, the bad and the ugly of this year’s quarterback crop.
For those of you who’ve followed me through the years, this is the person who told me the week prior to the 2021 NFL Draft that Trey Lance was the quarterback Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers would select with the third pick, not Mac Jones as the wider world was predicting.
He also walked me through the process of how the New York Jets would rid themselves of Christian Hackenberg in 2018, informing me they would trade the signal caller to a team that owed them a favor in return for a conditional pick they would never receive.
Of course, he informed me of how this would work more than six months before it occurred. And more than anything else, this was the source who tipped me off just days before the 2019 NFL Draft that Mike Maccagnan would be fired soon after the seven rounds were completed; and he was.
This person has been involved in the league for close to 40 years and comes from a football family that’s been involved at high levels of coaching for 50 years. In essence, he’s my EF Hutton (for those who remember the commercials from the former giant in the financial world); when he talks, I listen.
I had my opinions on the top four quarterbacks in the draft, opinions that can be found in the scouting reports on the Sportskeeda mock draft simulator. I needed to see how they matched up with his. This is how it shook out.
1 - Caleb Williams, USC
While Caleb Williams is brilliant at making off-platform throws and improvising when things break down, there’s as much concern over the fact that he’s rarely run an offense out of the huddle or been asked to play from the pocket.
He also has a big concern over Williams’ inability to work through progressions, not something I completely agree with, but an interesting opinion nonetheless. And while Williams has been anointed the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft for months, my source told me some people in the league have said there’s no way they would take the USC passer if they had the first pick.
2 - Jayden Daniels, LSU
It was nothing but praise for Jayden Daniels, who is expected to be the second pick in the draft. The obvious was mentioned; Daniels has taken a huge leap forward over the past season. My opinion is that Daniels began elevating his game at the midpoint of the 2022 season. While there may be concerns about Daniels’ pocket stature, I was told that of the top quarterbacks in the draft, he is the most ready and will have the most success as a starter this season.
3 - Drake Maye, North Carolina
Drake Maye was described in an interesting way from a football perspective: “He’s not immature but he’s not ready.” He believes Maye will need at least a year before he’s ready to step under center, and that year must be spent working on throwing mechanics and fundamentals.
NFL scouts and decision makers look at what a player does well as a primary indicator in their evaluation. My guy believes this is relevant to Maye, as his “good tape” is “really good”, and the team that ultimately selects the former Tar Heel will base the decision on his good tape, dismissing the poor play.
4 - J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
The final decisions on J. J. McCarthy are simple for my source and based on predetermined opinions; if you like him, there’s enough good tape and next-level potential to take him early. If you don’t like McCarthy, there are enough questionable passes that will allow you to pass on him.
He likes the toughness and intelligence McCarthy plays with as well as his leadership. I expressed my concern about McCarthy’s arm strength for the next level and was told, “He’s made some really nice deep throws the past few seasons, not a lot, but enough to make believers out of those who want to draft him.”
According to my source, who knows the quarterback, McCarthy would tell highly rated players who took recruiting trips to Michigan, “If you want to go to college to party, sign elsewhere. But if you want to win a National Championship, this is the place for you.” Heady words for a younger kid, and a prediction that came true. He also believes the Michigan junior will need at least a half-season to develop before he’s NFL-ready.
So there you have it, from a trusted source. Looking back on our conversation and my notes, I agree with most of his opinions. I’ve stated all along that I believe Jayden Daniels will be the best signal caller to come out of the 2024 NFL Draft, and at the very least my source believes he’ll be the most successful in the early stages.